Losing interest in sex during menopause is common, and it is often hormonal rather than personal. It is one of the least talked about symptoms, and one of the hardest to get help with, but there are real options.
Testosterone is a hormone women make too
Testosterone is often thought of as a male hormone, but women produce it as well, and it plays a part in energy, mood and sexual desire. Levels fall with age and around menopause, which for some women contributes to a noticeable drop in libido.
What the evidence says
The British Menopause Society supports the use of testosterone for menopausal women with low sexual desire (sometimes called hypoactive sexual desire disorder) where HRT alone has not been enough. It is usually considered alongside standard HRT rather than instead of it, and it is not a fit for everyone.
Why it is hard to get
- •There is currently no testosterone product licensed specifically for women in the UK, so it is prescribed 'off-label' using preparations made for men, at much lower female doses.
- •Many GPs are not confident prescribing it, so it can be difficult to access on the NHS.
- •Because of this, women often turn to a menopause service with prescribers experienced in testosterone.
- •It should be prescribed and monitored properly, including blood tests, not bought unregulated online.
How Solene fits
Solene is a nurse-led menopause service that treats the whole picture, not just hot flushes. A nurse prescriber working through a CQC-registered practice can assess whether testosterone is appropriate for you, where clinically suitable, alongside the rest of your care, with no GP referral and no waiting list.
This article is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Whether testosterone is right for you is a decision to make with a qualified prescriber who knows your history.
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